Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

UNSMIL Welcomes Egyptian Initiative for Ceasefire in Libya


Sun 07 Jun 2020 | 06:47 PM
Nawal Sayed

After launching the Egyptian initiative to solve the Libyan crisis, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, UNSMIL, welcomed the international and regional actors' efforts aimed for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Libya.

In an official statement released on Sunday, the UNSMIL stated that "A political solution to Libya’s longstanding crisis remains within grasp and the Mission, as ever, stands ready to convene a fully inclusive Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process."

We are encouraged by recent calls on the part of Libyan leaders for the resumption of such talks with an aim towards ending the fighting and pision."

"This can pave the way for a comprehensive political solution based on the Libyan Political Agreement and within the framework of the Berlin Conference Conclusions, UN Security Council Resolution 2510, and other relevant resolutions," the statement read.

On Saturday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi received Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh and Libyan National Army Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Cairo and announced an initiative to end the conflict in neighbouring country.

[caption id="attachment_130747" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]UNSMIL Libya Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi (c), Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh (L) and LNA Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar (R)- Press Photo Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi (c), Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh (L) and LNA Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar (R)- Press Photo[/caption]

The Cairo Declaration emphasizes the unity, integrity, and independence of the Libyan lands, respecting all international efforts, initiatives, and relevant Security Council resolutions, and accordingly, the commitment of all parties to the ceasefire from June 8, 2020.

The initiative is mainly based on the outcomes of the Berlin Summit, which resulted in a comprehensive political solution that includes clear implementation steps (political, security, and economic tracks) and the respect for human rights and international human rights law.

https://twitter.com/UNSMILibya/status/1269640253284982788

Sisi told a news conference that the initiative includes a cease-fire starting Monday and is meant to pave the way for elections in oil-rich Libya. He warned against continuing to look for a military solution to the country’s crisis.

UNSMIL Concerns About Tripoli Violence 

"The tragedy that has beset Libya for more than a year has proven, beyond any doubt, that any war among Libyans is a lose.  There can be no real victor, only heavy losses for the nation and its people, who have already suffered due to conflict for more than nine years," the UNSMIL statement added.

"In order for talks to resume in earnest, the guns must be silenced."

In that light, UNSMIL calls on the Libyan parties to engage swiftly and constructively in the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) talks in order to reach a lasting ceasefire agreement.

The statement stressed that the 5+5 talks must be accompanied by firm implementation of and respect for the recently renewed UN Arms Embargo on Libya.

UNSMIL remains alarmed by the harm inflicted on the civilian population by the continuing cycle of violence in Libya. The recent military movements in Greater Tripoli and Tarhouna have led to new waves of displacement and suffering of over 16,000 Libyans in the past few days, according to the statement.